Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Presidents &
Military Men

During World War II and
Korea, Harry S Truman presented no fewer than 112 Medals of Honor.
The American President was a combat veteran of World War I and
understood well the nature of battle and the courage represented
by the Medal he loved to drape around the neck of an American
hero. It was his custom as he leaned forward to drape the
distinctive blue ribbon around the neck of a sailor, soldier,
airman or marine to remark, "I would rather have this
medal than to be President."

Many of our American
Presidents have graced the Oval Office after first serving in the
uniform of the military. Some of them developed interesting
insights into both military and public service. Below are
quotes from five Presidents who were distinguished officers in the
military before elective office. See how many quotes you can
match to the correct President.

"I know what I am
fit for. I can command a body of men in a rough way; but I am not fit to
be President."

Your
Answer

George Washington

Andrew Jackson

Theodore Roosevelt

Harry S Truman

Dwight Eisenhower

"If we desire to
avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace,
one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be
known, that we are at all times ready for War."

Your
Answer

George Washington

Andrew Jackson

Theodore Roosevelt

Harry S Truman

Dwight Eisenhower

"The necessary and
wise subordination of the military to civil power will be best
sustained...when lifelong professional soldiers, in the absence of some
obvious and overriding reasons, abstain from seeking high political
office."

Your
Answer

George Washington

Andrew Jackson

Theodore Roosevelt

Harry S Truman

Dwight Eisenhower

"The idea that I should become
President seems to me too visionary to require a serious answer. It has
never entered my head, nor is it likely to enter the head of any other
person."

Your
Answer

Andrew Jackson

Zachary Taylor

Ulysses Grant

Harry S Truman

Dwight Eisenhower

"No triumph of peace
is quite so great as the supreme triumphs of war."

For
more on American Presidents, we are pleased to offer our FREE, 50-page
FULL COLOR book of American Presidents in either MS WORD or PDF
format. Each page features one of our Presidents with a photo,
biographical information, quotes, and a photo and information on his
First Lady and Vice President(s). The individual pages not only
provide an attractive book for study, but can be used as classroom
wall-posters if you prefer. Click on the book cover at right to go
to our download page.